'I Saw The Bodies Of Four Capsized Boats' - Refugee On Crossing The Mediterranean Sea

Fara* was detained in a Libyan prison while trying to escape to Europe. Despite having no access to any medication, catching chicken pox saved her from dying in her cell.

Fara, 35, crossed the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Italy in 2016 after spending a year in Libya. The following year, she flew down to Malta where she now lives.

Travelling from Nigeria, Fara crossed the Sahara desert in two weeks and she detailed the harrowing experiences she endured both during the journey and once she arrived.

There were many factors behind Fara’s decision to leave Nigeria. Her mother had died and then her father had sold off her siblings.
They were all separated except for Fara and her sister. However, Fara faced regular abuse and maltreatment from her sister’s husband so when she couldn’t bear it any longer, she left.

This decision would mark the start of Fara’s journey to Libya - one she said she would not advise anyone at home to embark on, no matter what they are escaping.

Fara sat down with Lovin Malta to share her story as part of a wider campaign led by NGO TAMA. The full interview was released in the lead-up to an event on 24th May set to raise awareness on the sexual gender-based violence faced by people seeking refuge in Malta.

It’s a free event that will include panel discussions, film screenings and workshops focused on the realities of gender-based violence during the migration process.

To register for the event, click follow this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connec...

*The names in this caption have been changed.